Electrolysis: Examining the Cost
Permanent hair removal is an exciting lure for anyone who struggles with unwanted hair in embarrassing places. For some, cost is not an issue. But, for most of us money is a definite factor in the decision for a treatment such as electrolysis.
To understand the high cost of electrolysis, consider that each individual hair must be treated in order to have good results. This means that a great deal of time is involved in treatment. In addition to this the people who apply the treatments are highly trained professionals, many with doctor's of nurse's degrees. Their many years of education are reflected in their rates.
Billing is usually charged by the hour. Hourly rates vary a fair bit, but you can expect anything from $50 to $80 an hour, depending on your location and the clinic itself. The number of hours involved in each treatment varies according to several factors. One factor to consider is the area of the skin from which you need to have hair removed. For example, it would cost less to have hair removed from your upper lip than to have hair removed from your legs. Another is the density of the hair which not only affects the length of the treatment, but also makes more follow-up treatments necessary.
Although the process itself is the same, different machines may have slightly differing methods of treating the hairs. Some will work more quickly, while others may take longer. The results from one machine may work more effectively in the long run, while another may need more repetitions for complete results.
If you are serious about trying electrolysis you should visit a skin care professional to discuss your individual case. They will consider the area of skin you need to have treated, the density in which the hair grows, the thickness of the individual hairs, your age and skin condition and anything else that may affect your treatment. From these factors they will be able to give you an estimate as to the time and money involved in a successful electrolysis treatment program.
Even with an estimate in mind, be aware that things don't always go as planned. Things may take longer than expected and the cost may wind up more than originally estimated. Make sure that you are prepared to cover any unexpected extra costs.
In some rare cases you may find that your insurance will help cover the expense. While cosmetic cases will of course not be covered, there are some situations where a skin irritation or other issue might require the permanent removal of hair in the affected area. In these cases your insurance company might be able to help with the expense of electrolysis.
Choosing electrolysis for hair removal treatment is not a decision to be made lightly. The peace of mind of not having to constantly deal with unwanted hair may well be worth the expense, but make sure that your pocketbook is able to handle it first.